24 May 2006
Thousands of Lebaleng township residents near Maquassi braved the cold
winter to witness and celebrate the handover of the newly built R7,4 million
Atlarelang Primary School by North West MEC for Public Works, Honourable Howard
Yawa on Tuesday.
The 26 class roomed Primary School has brought much relief to over thousand
primary school learners who had to platoon for the past ten years due to
classroom shortage in the area.
In his keynote address, MEC Yawa said that the denial of adequate classrooms
to children in historically disadvantaged areas by successive apartheid
governments was an attack on their dignity.
MEC Yawa said that the handover of the school was a celebration of the new
age of hope and a celebration of the People's Contract between government and
the community of Lebaleng. He said that delivery serves as a demonstration of
government's seriousness and commitment in meeting President Mbeki's call to
ensure that no learner learns under trees.
MEC Yawa emphasised that the construction of the school did not just ensure
that children of Lebaleng learn in decent environment, but also contributed to
the alleviation of poverty as R1,1 million in wages was paid to local labourers
during the implementation of the school building project.
The project created one hundred and sixty eight job opportunities for
locals. These include ninety six youth, eighty women and four people with
disabilities.
According to the school principal, Mr. Simon Mohapi, platooning and five
hour learning and teaching limited the provision of quality education and
denied learners participation in extramural activities.
"We wish to thank the community of Lebaleng for your patience and for
believing in your government to address the infrastructure backlog we have
inherited. Together we have made great strides. Despite the challenges that we
face, the future is brightening daily, giving us new possibilities. Indeed,
yesterday you had nothing to hope and live for, but today things are better and
tomorrow things will even be a lot better," said MEC Yawa.
The occasion was graced by among others, Councillors of the Maquassi Local
Municipality and the Southern District Municipality, the Head of the Department
for Public Works, Mr. Obakeng Mongale and senior officials from various
government departments.
The Acting Mayor for Maquassi Local municipality, Councillor Sammy Duffy,
received keys for the school from MEC Yawa on behalf of MEC Tselapedi.
Enquiries: Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Departmental Spokesperson
Tell: (018)387 2447
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: (018) 18387 2868
E-mail:LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Public Works, North West provincial
Government
24 May 2006
